This Eastern League contest was the featured (and only) game in the annual Futures at Fenway event, in which Red Sox minor league affiliates play at the storied major league ballpark.

Brian Goodwin tripled and scored on Justin Bloxom's sacrifice fly in the first, and Brian Jeroloman's RBI single in the second had the Senators (59-49) ahead 2-0 and hunting a fifth straight win. But Couch (8-3) really settled in, retiring 16 of the final 17 batters he faced, the only runner over that stretch reaching via error.

Portland (53-54) scored three runs in the second to take the lead, then tacked on single runs in the fourth (Shaw's solo homer) and seventh. Taylor Hill (2-4) allowed four runs in five innings and was saddled with the loss.

Harrisburg attempted a late rally, with two-out singles by Jason Martinson and Sean Nicol bringing the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but Matt Maloney induced a shallow fly by Destin Hood to secure his first save for the Sea Dogs.

Matt Grace and Neil Holland threw scoreless innings of relief for the Senators, while Richie Mirowski allowed a run without yielding a hit in the seventh.

Shaw singled, homered and doubled in his first three at-bats for Portland, but Holland struck him out in his fourth and final at-bat to end his bid for a cycle.

The series moves back to Portland, where it will be completed Sunday afternoon.

This was the second time the Senators were guests of Portland during the Futures at Fenway showcase, with the Sea Dogs beating Harrisburg 12-11 in 2007.

TURNING POINT

Christian Vazquez and Shaw singled to start the bottom of the second against Hill, and Derrik Gibson walked with one out to load the bases. The first run crossed on Shannon Wilkerson's groundout, and Heiker Meneses followed with a two-run double to put the Sea Dogs on top for good.

PENNLIVE.COM MVP RACE

1. RHP Neil Holland (2 points).

LAST 5/NEXT 5

July 23 at New Hampshire -- 6-5 win

July 24 at New Hampshire -- 3-2 win (10 inn.)

July 25 at Portland -- 2-1 win

July 26 at Portland -- 7-5 win

July 27 vs. Portland at Fenway Park -- 5-2 loss

July 28 at Portland, 1

July 30 at Trenton, 7:05

July 31 at Trenton, 12:05

Aug. 1 at Trenton, 7:05

Aug. 2 vs. Binghamton, 7

* More on this game, including commentary from manager Matt LeCroy and a note on Steven Souza Jr. going to the disabled list, coming later Saturday afternoon to PennLive.com/Senators.